Trident Homes Tactix goal attack Te Paea Selby-Rickit has notched up the most National League matches of any player competing in this year’s ANZ Premiership. We talk to the most experienced player in the league who will make her 164th appearance when the Tactix take on the Steel in Invercargill on Saturday.
What worked well for the Tactix last week that got you over the line against the Pulse in extra time?
I think we were really good with possession. Our centre pass attack stats have been improving every week. We were really deliberate about where we wanted to play the ball and getting depth on second phase and things like that.
The Steel may have just the one win this year but pose a threat as a team with nothing to lose with just five rounds of the regular season remaining – how tough will they be?
They haven’t had the best season but they’re still a really skilful team and they’re hard to play. They bring something different, they’ve got height in the midcourt, they’ve got some really good man-on-man defenders as well, so we just prepare the same as we would any other week and we know the challenges in playing them that are different to playing other teams. We just keep preparing like we always do.
You have now notched up the most National League Matches (163) of any player in this year’s ANZ Premiership – did you ever dream you’d be involved with netball for so long?
Oh my gosh – as a young girl coming from a small Maori community, I definitely didn’t think I’d be playing that many games. It makes me feel really old, but I guess I’ve been playing since I was so young, and I’ve just been really lucky I guess to come through and playing with and against some really good players and good people, who I’ve learned a lot off them. I’ve probably played most of my games with Jane (Watson) which is really cool – to come through Steel and play Tactix with her. So many games but so many good people and great memories.
What has it been like teaming up with Ellie Bird again this season?
It’s so good, it’s just like riding a bike I guess, it’s all very familiar. It was like she had never gone. We were really lucky to be able to call on someone who just slots in so easily. She’s been really strong for us, and she’s come back and been so confident. It’s been awesome to watch and be a part of.
Who were your netball/sporting idols growing up and why?
I’ve always liked Donna (Wilkins) because I played a bit of basketball growing up and I loved the fact that she played basketball and netball, the same as Belinda (Colling), she was a basketballer as well. I’m also a huge LeBron James fan – I love basketball, Lakers are my team!
If you could change a netball rule, what would it be and why?
I’d like to see that if ‘advantage’ has been called and the play carries on, but it does affect the play, then you should be able to bring it back because it’s then their advantage and not ours.
What’s your earliest memories from the netball court?
I had two older sisters, so I used to follow them around everywhere, just like the typical younger sister – showing up and watching their trainings, running on at halftime to put some shots up during the break. Just following my sisters around really.
What’s your favourite dessert?
That’s a good question because I love dessert. I can’t say no to a good cheesecake.
Netball is a large part of your life – what gets you excited about Game Day?
I just enjoy being out there and playing the competition. I enjoy the connection of working on something all week with the team and then executing it on court. And Game Day is always the same, it’s pretty much wake up, eat and play so it’s always really nice.
Is there any netball advice you’d like to give a young Te Paea Selby-Rickit starting out in sport?
I think it’s really important to give everything a go. A lot of people are now feeling they need to specialise and focus in on one sport, but I think it’s really important to give everything a go, the skills are so transferrable. It can help a lot with your netball if you’ve been playing cricket or basketball or whatever – it just makes you so much more of a well-rounded athlete and more skilful. Keep giving everything a go.
- The Trident Homes Tactix meet the Steel at ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill at 4pm on Saturday, live on Sky Sport.
